Upon realizing this, Feng Chi couldn't help but glance at Shi Chun with a playful smile, admiring his effortless and easy demeanor.

After finalizing their plans, as Shi Chun was about to leave with Wu Jinliang, something suddenly occurred to him. He stopped and said to Feng Chi and Wu Jinliang, "I need to have a word with Laner."

The two naturally left to give him space. Shi Chun casually closed the door, then walked to Xiang Laner, standing opposite her and unabashedly taking in her beauty.

One had to admit, this delicate-skinned woman was truly a stunning sight. She had both the figure and the grace.

Xiang Laner, uncomfortable under his burning gaze, turned away and said calmly, "If you have something to say, say it quickly."

But before she finished her sentence, Shi Chun took a step forward and grabbed her from behind.

He pressed a kiss on her neck, inhaling her fragrance. His hands weren't idle either—one groped her chest while the other tried to lift her skirt. His actions were direct and unapologetic.

Completely unprepared, Xiang Laner was startled. She had never imagined he'd dare such a thing. She immediately grabbed Shi Chun's wrists, intending to twist them off instinctively.

But Shi Chun whispered hotly in her ear, "Before I went to the Divine Fire Domain, you promised that if I went, you'd be my woman."

He didn't know exactly when he'd act against her, but he couldn't resist the demonic qi coursing through her. It was inevitable and only a matter of time.

He decided to claim this demonic-path woman first. After all, she was the one who had made the promise. Did she think he was a fool to be deceived so easily? Tonight, she would have to fulfill her word.

Once they shared a bed, they'd cooperate to plunder the Demon Path's wealth—it was convenient. Besides, he lacked someone to warm his bed, and she was both beautiful and available.

Xiang Laner's expression stiffened in humiliation and rage as she searched her memory. Had she really made that promise?

It felt like she might have said it, but also like she hadn't.

She resolutely denied it, "I never said that!"

But she regained some clarity. She realized that the bastard behind her still had his use. If she killed him now, it might ruin the plan.

So, she suppressed her anger, gripping the hand lifting her skirt tightly while prying away the hand groping her chest.

She had recently broken through to the High Martial Great Success Realm, her cultivation noticeably higher than Shi Chun's. In terms of sheer physical strength, he was no match for her.

Shi Chun, however, stubbornly refused to let go. "Laner, you did say it. You clearly promised that no matter the outcome, once I went to the Divine Fire Domain, you'd be with me."

Xiang Laner suddenly looked as though she might cry, her voice trembling pitifully, "Is this how you express your feelings for me? Do you think that just because I've spent time in a brothel, you don't need to respect me?"

Her words almost made Shi Chun burst out laughing. Playing that card? Did she take him for a fool like Bian Weikang? If he didn't strip her today, he might as well take her last name!

Still, his hands softened their grip, and he said with a hint of guilt, "I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. I like you too much."

Seeing him relent, Xiang Laner breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly shook off his hands, turned to face him with a look of anger, and yelled, "Get out!"

Appearing dejected, Shi Chun turned to leave obediently. He had no choice; when he laid his hands on her, he immediately realized that she was not someone to be trifled with. In terms of cultivation and raw strength, she easily overpowered him.

But as he left, a sly smile crept onto his face. Did she think he was still the same man from before the Divine Fire Domain? There's a saying: times change.

He had already taken out the Immortal Strangling Silk.

Without hesitation, he spun around and unleashed the white glow of the magical treasure toward his target.

Xiang Laner froze in surprise and alarm, preparing to dodge. But against a magical treasure of this level at such close range, her cultivation was insufficient to evade. She was immediately ensnared in a web, her attempted leap for escape ending in failure as she hit the ceiling before falling into Shi Chun's waiting arms.

The capture was swift and effortless.

Shi Chun promptly sealed her acupoints with a practiced touch.

This wasn't his first time capturing her, but it was the first time he tossed her onto a bed.

This time, he was confident that things would go his way without repercussions.

There was no room for tenderness.

Using the tear in the Immortal Strangling Silk caused by Li Hongjiu, he ripped through her dress and undergarments in one swift motion, leaving her fully exposed.

Xiang Laner shrieked in terror, "Feng…"

Before she could finish, Shi Chun swiftly sealed her vocal cords with a touch.

Her face turned pale with fear.

Luckily for her, the commotion from when she had struck the ceiling had already drawn Feng Chi's suspicion. Feng Chi, sensing something was amiss, had crept to the door to eavesdrop. Hearing her muffled cry, his instincts told him something was wrong, so he opened the door to investigate.

What he saw was Shi Chun grabbing a naked backside, with Laner tied up in a net. That was an unexpected sight—though, thanks to Feng Chi's experiences in brothels, he wasn't entirely shocked by the debauchery.

Caught red-handed, Shi Chun froze in embarrassment.

To his dismay, Feng Chi merely gave him a mysterious smile before backing out and closing the door. He even blocked Wu Jinliang, who had also been alerted by the noise, urging him not to interfere.

Feng Chi left? Xiang Laner's eyes widened in disbelief, despair setting in.

What could Shi Chun do now? He felt that Feng Chi had already shown him enough courtesy. Hurriedly, he retracted the Immortal Strangling Silk, covered Laner's immobile body with a quilt, and slipped out of the room.

Out in the hallway, Wu Jinliang saw that Shi Chun had emerged unscathed. Seeing everything was fine, Wu Jinliang led Duan Xiangmei back to their room.

A surprised Feng Chi lingered for a moment before following Shi Chun back into the room, teasing him, "You even used a net rope?"

Shi Chun, embarrassed, explained, "She went back on her word. You were there too—didn't you hear her promise that if I went to the Divine Fire Domain, she'd be with me, no matter what? Now that I've come back successful, she's reneged. Of course, I lost my temper."

Feng Chi nodded seriously, "She's certainly in the wrong."

Shi Chun felt astonished, waiting for his next words.

But Feng Chi simply chuckled softly and asked, "You really like her that much?"

Shi Chun tilted his mouth in frustration. "I went to the Divine Fire Domain for her. What do you think?"

Holding back laughter, Feng Chi said, "There's no need to use force. When you have time, let me know. I know plenty of tricks from the brothel to make women obedient."

Really? Shi Chun was momentarily startled, only to realize he was being gullible. Why would Feng Chi help him manipulate one of their own?

Annoyed, and no longer in the mood to chat, Shi Chun stood up and showed him out.

Once the door was shut, Shi Chun sniffed his hand pensively, then took out the Mother-child Talisman to send a message to Xiang Laner: Laner, I truly like you too much.

Without saying more, he put the talisman away and began pacing anxiously around the room.

His primary concern was still Stargazing Pavilion's intentions. Their leniency towards him felt suspicious. Was there a hidden scheme lying in wait?

After some deliberation, he decided not to burn bridges prematurely, taking out the talisman to contact Mulan Qingqing.

He messaged her: Qingqing, you're truly amazing—the most beautiful woman in the world.

To his surprise, Mulan Qingqing responded quickly: You've just left the Divine Fire Domain. Let's reschedule our duel for when you've rested. We'll talk later.

She left the timeline ambiguous.

At the moment, Mulan Qingqing stood by the seaside near Xun Gate, preparing to leave. She had been clutching the talisman, deliberating whether to message Shi Chun when he unexpectedly reached out first.

However, his message made her blush. She disliked lying, but she couldn't help it. Knowing she currently couldn't defeat Shi Chun, initiating a battle now would only embarrass her. Reluctantly, she lied to brush him off for the time being.

Clutching this excuse, she hastily departed, planning to return stronger after further cultivation.

Meanwhile, Feng Chi returned immediately to Xiang Laner's room, helping to free her from her bindings. In truth, Laner had already used her Demon Skill to loosen some of the points.

After changing into proper clothes, Xiang Laner was furious, drawing her blade to confront Shi Chun. Of course, the fight didn't happen—Feng Chi stopped her and reminded her of the bigger picture.

Suppressing her rage, she had no choice but to swallow the humiliation, bury her resentment, and relay Shi Chun's intentions to her higher-ups as if nothing had happened.

Outside the inn, an honored guest had arrived: Gong Shaoci, accompanied by two attendants. The welcoming party quickly escorted them to their intended destination.

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